Updated 3 December 2018
Howell Surgery, High Street, Brenchley, Kent, TN12 7NQ and its branch practice; Hormonden Surgery, Lamberhurst Road, Horsmonden, Kent, TN12 8LP are part of the NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Howell Surgery is the registered provider. Services are provided under a general medical services (GMS) contract with NHS England. The practice buildings provide ground level access at Howell Surgery and ground and first floor level at Horsmonden Surgery, which are both suitable for people with mobility issues. More information about the practice is available on their website:
There are 4,969 registered patients registered at the main practice and the branch surgery located approximately a mile and a half away. The practice has somewhat more than the national
average of patients over 65 years but the same as the national average of patients over 75 years and over 85 years. It is an area of low income deprivation. The Howell Surgery offered dispensing services to patients on the practice list who lived more than one mile (1.6km) from their nearest pharmacy (currently 50% of the practice population).
The practice has three GP partners (one female and two male), two salaried GPs (female), two practice nurses (female) and a health care assistant (female). The clinical team is supported by a practice manager, a business manager and a team of receptionists and administration team (four of whom are trained dispensers). The practice opening hours are as follows:
- Howell Surgery - 8.15am to 4pm Monday, 8.15am to 1pm (when services are diverted to another practice within the cluster) Tuesday and 8.15am to 6.30pm Wednesday through to Friday. The practice offers extended hours with a GP to 7pm on Wednesday.
- The practice provides a walk-in clinic Monday through to Friday. These commence at 8.15am through to 9.30am. Urgent bookable appointments are also available to patients online.
- Horsmonden Surgery - 8am to 1pm and 3pm to 6.30pm Monday and 8am to 1pm Tuesday through to Friday. The practice offers extended hours with two GPs and a practice nurse to 7.15pm on Monday.
The practice forms part of a cluster of 11 GP practices. As part of the improved access scheme, patients from the practice can attend appointments on Saturday and Sunday, at other practices within the cluster. Out of hours services at all other times are provided by IC24, via contact with NHS 111. The practice provides online access that allows patients to order prescriptions and request and cancel an appointment.
The practice provides the following regulated activities: treatment of disease, disorder or injury, diagnostic and screening procedures, family planning and maternity and midwifery services.